On October 11-13, the 49th Annual Armed Forces Open Chess Championship will take place in Bethesda, Maryland. The three branches of the services – Army, Sea Services, and Air Force – take turns hosting the event. This year Navy is hosting and the event will take place at the National Naval Medical Cente ( www.bethesda.med.navy.mil ).

The Championship is open to all Active duty, Reservists, Military Retirees, Cadets, and ROTC (with DOD ID) who are members of the United States Chess Federation (USCF), and there is no entry fee. Housing is available at the Bethesda Naval Lodge (301-654-1795), within walking distance of the Medical Center.

Participants may register on line at: www.usmilitarychess.org or they may print out the registration form and mail it to Tournament Organizer Ernest Schlich, 1370 S. Braden Crescent, Norfolk, VA 23502. Be sure to include Rank, Name, USCF ID#, current USCF rating/rank, and branch of service. The individual/team pairing system will allow participants to play as individuals AND for their service team.

Any questions about the playing schedule or tournament rules may be directed to ESchlich@verizon.net , or you may call him at 757-853-5296. You can also check out “Clubs & Tourneys>National Events” at www.uschess.org .

The USCF, the official body for organized chess in the U.S., proudly supports our service men and women through such initiatives as “Sets for Vets,” providing sets, boards and clocks to V.A. hospitals and facilities throughout the U.S., as well as to Active Duty personnel.